Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Energy Vessel
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The atmosphere shifted.
In one section, they were dumping samples collected from uncharted space at rock-bottom prices.
In another corner, auctions were underway, giving off the vibe of a rowdy marketplace.
The deeper you ventured, the weightier the exhibits became.
Wreckage from spaceships lost during space pioneering missions.
Products manufactured only on planets conquered by alien invasions.
Along with items presumed to be from alien civilizations or mysterious ornaments, and more.
All sorts of treasures slumbered in this museum, some already being sold off.
"How about it? Want me to buy you one?"
-I will soon belong to Master entirely. Gifts hold no meaning.
"...Right. Well, any ornaments catch your eye?"
-The same question as before.
"Run an artistry program or something. Pick something good for decorating. Who knows, it might turn out to be a jackpot later."
In fact, jackpot stories popped up here from time to time.
The pamphlet I was holding mentioned cases like buying a busted memory stick, shelling out a fortune to decrypt it, and finding something incredible inside—or purchasing a stone as a decoration only to discover it was a rare mineral worth a mint.
Most of these tales were based on real events.
Sure, the odds were worse than the lottery, but they played a huge role in promoting the museum.
What I was after was one such jackpot.
And not just any—it rivaled the biggest ones ever uncovered.
The source of my intel? The original story.
A treasure described as having been stored here for an extremely long time, untouched by anyone.
So unless my presence had altered things, it should still be slumbering here.
I kept moving toward the section housing my target.
The distance was so vast I even had to hop on a shuttle that ferried people between sections.
'They're displaying stuff like this too?'
In one section, I spotted some familiar items.
It was an exhibit of Earth civilization artifacts from before the space pioneering era truly kicked off—relics from the 22nd century and earlier.
Among them were things that looked like cutting-edge tech to my eyes, despite being relics, but one corner even featured laptops and gasoline-powered cars.
The logos etched on them: Samsung and GM.
Those brands had survived all this time.
Anyway, items still familiar to me were being treated as 'artifacts.'
-Primitive forms of electronics. What about them piques Master's interest?
"...Not really."
With combat machines banned from entry, I murmured softly to R3D3, who was clinging to me in clothing form.
I resumed walking.
My destination was the large artifact exhibit hall.
Specifically, the long-term storage area.
According to the original story, the item had been kept here for at least 200 years, so it should be a sure thing.
I arrived.
This place was especially spacious.
Artifacts ranging from house-sized to nearly 100 meters were spaced out generously.
"We're here. How many items are in this place?"
-982 items. Three match the general description Master provided.
"Start with the closest one."
The treasure was described as a 'common-looking' rock.
I had an image in mind from the description, but it might not match exactly.
In the end, I'd have to check them myself.
If I couldn't tell them apart, I'd buy all three to secure it.
'That's... the Melbourne probe ship.'
The first thing to greet me at the entrance was a space probe from the old days.
A pretty famous one, too.
Back when early probe survival rates hadn't cracked 70%, it had pulled off over ten consecutive successful missions solo.
It had still ended up like this, though.
The Melbourne probe was reduced to its bridge section, the rest sheared away.
Through the shattered bridge windows, a projected hologram showed the wrecked interior, hinting at the desperation of the time.
A plaque in front of the display case provided details.
'Contact lost in 2272 during an outer space survey for unknown reasons. Unearthed by the uncharted space specialist team Stella Walker and stored here since around 2491.'
2272 was the early space pioneering era.
Nearly 500 years old.
Artifacts with this level of symbolic value weren't common, even here.
The price tag confirmed it.
This wasn't for sale—it was here for display, which jacked up the cost even more.
'Being so massive changes the units entirely.'
The prices on earlier items had been steep, but this was on another level.
I could tell without looking at the rest.
Heading deeper, I found more astonishing sights.
Corpses of early giant aliens, fully decontaminated.
Taxidermied animals from now-extinct planets, and so on.
The post-processing was so lifelike they looked eerily vivid.
A passing couple huddled close, whispering.
"The vibe here's kinda creepy."
"Doesn't that one look like it's about to spring back to life?"
"No way. These have been on display for decades."
The nearby speakers even piped in surround sound effects.
'They nailed the concept.'
After the couple passed, I stepped closer.
I was curious about the taxidermied aliens too.
Maybe I could glean some info from them.
'......Yeah, no dice.'
I turned away immediately.
My ability was incredibly useful, but it came with heavy restrictions.
Information started degrading the moment after death, and even a single day later, more than half was irretrievable.
After three days, scraping together over 20% was a stretch.
From specimens processed chemically and displayed for decades like these? Forget it.
'Aliens get stronger with newer species anyway.'
I gave up and continued checking the artifacts.
About three hours in.
Two of the three candidates were duds; the last one was right ahead.
This area focused more on storage than display.
Fewer people around the deeper you went.
The prices on nearby artifacts had dropped to somewhat reasonable levels, geared toward actual sales.
'Found it.'
A common-looking rock.
A slightly oversized metallic boulder—nothing particularly special otherwise.
But the moment I saw it, I was certain.
This was the exact item from the original story.
"R3D3. Scan it."
-...Scan complete. No anomalies detected.
Figures.
What interested me was the object inside this rock.
Of course—if a basic scan had picked up anything, it would've been cracked open or sold off by now.
"It's not that the scan doesn't work, right?"
-Shall I perform a detailed scan?
"Nah, no need."
Detailed scans were out.
Even the basic scan's energy waves had skirted the edge of this place's security systems.
A detailed one would summon guards and cause a scene for sure.
'This rock itself must have something special going on.'
Memories of the original story surfaced.
This museum was the backdrop for one of the key episodes.
It happened while the protagonist and his crew were touring.
A militant group of Purists launched a terrorist attack to steal an item the museum had acquired.
The Purists spared no bombs, plunging the museum into chaos.
Numerous civilians were injured.
Museum security responded but were overwhelmed.
They couldn't handle the trained terrorists, including superhumans.
Naturally, the protagonist's group stepped in.
The protagonist clashed fiercely with a Purist ability user, unleashing powerful abilities.
Fresh off acquiring his core weapon, the protagonist was still pushed back relentlessly by his overpowering foe.
Even with his allies' help, defeat loomed.
That's when this rock entered the picture—as a power-up catalyst for the protagonist.
As the enemy superhuman pressed the assault and crisis loomed...
The rock split open and exploded.
'No explanation given.'
The incredibly tough rock had cracked on its own.
An energy vessel, dubbed a primitive energy aggregate.
But the windfall didn't go smoothly.
Naturally occurring energy vessels were unstable, and the rock maintaining its stability had split, exposing it to the outside. Part of the energy detonated.
Still, it miraculously inflicted damage on the enemy, letting the protagonist escape the pinch.
'He didn't get the energy vessel in perfect condition, though.'
The unstable energy's mere discharge vaporized over 20% of the museum grounds—the size of Seoul—in an instant.
Quite a few who hadn't evacuated perished, and the museum took massive damage.
Regaining his senses amid the chaos, recovering the remaining energy vessel, and subduing the enemy superhuman? That was thanks to a quirk of the protagonist's ability.
'Just in case.'
Of course, I had no intention of forcibly extracting it.
No plans for crude methods to pull out the energy vessel either.
I'd handle it as safely as possible.
I had R3D3 summon a staff member.
One stationed nearby arrived promptly.
"Yes, sir? You called? Found something you like?"
She was an attractive employee in a sharp two-piece suit, her abundant hair partially braided.
I nodded, and she continued right away.
"You got here fast."
"Of course. We at the museum always strive to serve our guests to the best of our ability."
"Haha, I like the sound of that."
"Thank you. Are you interested in purchasing something?"
The staffer eyed my outfit with a seductive gaze, sweeping over it naturally.
Her smile deepened.
I suddenly wondered.
'What am I even wearing?'
I didn't fuss much over clothes.
At the academy, cadets wore uniforms.
For outings, I'd grab whatever combo from Lemon's collection without thinking.
Today was a bit different.
Casual attire, with R3D3 shifted to clothing form draped over it.
My upper body looked encased in machinery, like wearing armor.
A sort of military look.
Nothing rare about it.
Given the cultural diversity of this era, it wasn't that standout.
Though cases as high-end as mine were uncommon.
Her smile thickened noticeably.
"Could I give you the details on purchasing inside?"
"Sure."
"This way, please. I'll guide you."
I followed the staffer as she led ahead.
If I were the old Lemon, I never would've thought to come here.
Much less act like the original story's terrorists.
But flush with cash now, there was no need for that route.
'Stuff you can buy with money isn't worth much anyway. Better recover it ASAP if possible.'
I worried it might hinder the protagonist's growth.
But my needs were more urgent right now.
Fifteen years in the future?
Too far off.
The protagonist shone when things got worse than now.
Better to use it here to keep the world a bit more hopeful.
Plus, this windfall wasn't essential for him.
Plenty of ways to upgrade his core weapon, and by the time he started acting up, I could sort it out somehow.
"How much did you say it costs?"
The only potential issue here: the price.
The staffer showed a number in the astronomical range.
Not chump change for a whim.
Anyone hearing might tell me to invest in a house or car instead.
But I didn't bat an eye.
Even with margins slashed to the bone on my exclusive military contracts...
The money flowing into my accounts meant I wouldn't sweat a single exhibit.
"How would you like to pay? As a verified individual, you qualify for one-year installment without a guarantor, plus up to two three-month payment deferrals."
I pulled out my card with a smile.
"No need. Full payment upfront."
The card bore the Monarch family's crest—a gorgeously embossed golden butterfly.
Made of rare metal, issued to only a select few in the main house.